The immigration problem in America is puzzling. As many voices are saying …
The movement of illegal immigrants across our borders threatens the job market for American citizens. Labor unions cry foul. Trained farm workers can’t compete for jobs against folks willing to be compensated below the minimum wage–and without benefits or taxes.
But that’s not the point.
The movement of illegal immigrants across our borders raises the specter of hoodlums, drug dealers, and terrorists destroying our peace. True, so far, no terrorists have been interdicted on the Mexican border, but the drug trafficking alone is destructive. Plus, if we should let down our guard, terrorist organizations surely will take advantage.
But that’s not the point.
The attempt to settle undocumented immigrants threatens the fabric of society. Most “illegals” are poorly educated with few skills. If allowed to stay, they could swell our welfare rolls and drain our social services. Of course, many are contributing into the Social Security program (perhaps as much as $7 billion per year) whose benefits they will never enjoy.
But that’s not the point.
Few immigrants are migrating to flee persecution in their homeland. Few are threatened by death squads or hostile regimes. Most are arriving from depressed economic and environmental circumstances in the hope of pursuing a decent living, wanting to capitalize on the great resources available here. Then again, most Americans or their predecessors arrived here for the same reasons.
But that’s not the point.
The present session of Congress is contemplating immigration reform legislation. If it does not pass before the August recess, such reforms are likely doomed until after the 2008 national elections. In most voting districts, opposing immigration, like opposing crime, wins votes. A welcoming stance toward “illegals” will hobble many an election campaign.
But that’s not the point.
The PC(USA) General Assembly last June adopted the “Resolution Calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the United States.” The resolution calls upon all Presbyterians to advocate for a “comprehensive legalization program for undocumented persons already living and working in the United States” and for “the reform of current immigration policies and procedures to ensure a more timely and humane process, with special attention to family reunification and to those persons who have been waiting for their immigrant visas and for naturalization.” Further, it urges us to “adamantly oppose the exploitation of any and all workers as a violation of the humane and just treatment due to all children of God” and to “join with interfaith and secular organizations that are working for comprehensive legalization.”
But that’s not the point.
On May 7, evangelical and mainline church leaders launched an ecumenical campaign calling for comprehensive immigration reform. Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) are placing ads and mobilizing at least 200,000 letters, tens of thousands of phone calls, and hundreds of lobbying visits to members of Congress by the August recess. The Rev. Dan Soliday, CEO of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc., explains, “Despite different theological and doctrinal perspectives, groups sharing a common Judeo-Christian heritage are uniting to challenge our lawmakers to create an immigration policy characteristic of a faithful people: compassionate, just, respectful of human dignity and valuing family bonds.”
But that’s not the point.
The Bible, God’s Word to us, commands us to love the stranger among us. When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 19:33,34). Have you noticed that the Hebrew Scriptures command, “Love your neighbor” just once but repeatedly command, “Love the alien as yourself”?
The New Testament’s perspective on immigrants is summarized by the writer of Hebrews: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it (13:2).
The immigration problem in America is puzzling. As Christians we are required to solve that puzzle, to find effective ways to love our neighbors, the strangers, the immigrants, the aliens, the “illegals,” yea, the angels among us.
That is the point.
–JHH
